Mixing induces long-term hyperthermia in growing pigs

The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether body temperature is a sensitive parameter to measure long-term effects of stress in pigs. Mixing of unacquainted pigs is a severe stressor that has detrimental effects on health, production and welfare. We measured deep body temperature after mixing growing pigs. Five pigs of 15 weeks of age, each individually housed with a companion pig, were mixed with two unacquainted congeners. Deep body temperature, heart rate and activity were recorded by radiotelemetry 9 days prior to until 8 days after mixing. These parameters were also recorded in five control pigs (individually housed with a companion pig) during the same time span. Behaviour during the light period was recorded on videotape on the day of mixing and on three subsequent days. Mixing induced a significant rise in body temperature that lasted for 8 h after mixing. Although heart rate and general activity level did not significantly differ between mixed and control pigs, mixing significantly increased the frequency of fighting and reduced the frequency of eating. In conclusion, the present experiment shows that mixing induces a long-lasting hyperthermia in pigs. Thus, deep body temperature may be used as a sensitive parameter to measure long-term effects of stress in pigs.